Chapter 287: Chapter 287: Encirclement and Killing
Chapter 287: Encirclement and Killing
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Aoki had no idea of the concern he was causing Shanks.
He genuinely wanted to see Luffy and, since he was nearby, decided to drop in.
Part of his curiosity was simple—meeting the future Pirate King in person. But the other reason was to confirm whether Luffy had indeed eaten the Mythical Zoan Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika.
With a thought, Aoki activated the space-time field, and the figures of Kurome, Akame, and Esdeath materialized beside him.
"Is this the New World?" Akame asked, glancing around.
"That's right," Aoki replied.
"It really is a world ruled by the sea," Esdeath remarked, her eyes scanning the endless expanse of ocean.
The three women, having lived in the Eastern Empire, were familiar with water but had never encountered a world so dominated by it.
Kurome turned to Aoki. "What's the plan?"
Aoki looked at them, his expression calm. "Kill. Are you ready?"
Kurome nodded silently.
Akame's response was brief but firm. "Ready."
Esdeath's tone was as cold as ever, her confidence unwavering. "What preparations are needed to kill someone?"
"Then let's move," Aoki said.
He grabbed the three of them, and their figures vanished into thin air.
---
Meanwhile, aboard a ship far away, Boa Hancock sat on a chair, her long, fair legs crossed, her cheongsam revealing just enough to accentuate her elegance. She rested her delicate chin on her hand, her expression absent-minded.
Robin, sitting nearby, observed her thoughtfully.
"Judging by the skirmishes we've had recently," Robin began, "the BIGMOM Pirates are likely preparing for another full-scale assault."
Alice snorted, crossing her arms over her chest, which created an exaggerated arc.
"Let them come. Who's afraid of them?"
Robin remained calm. "There's a significant gap between us and the BIGMOM Pirates, especially their captain, Charlotte Linlin.
We don't have anyone who can stand against her. If Rayleigh hadn't intervened last time, Hancock might have been in serious danger."
Alice frowned, her fiery spirit faltering slightly. "What should we do, then? Run away?"
Robin shook her head. "We don't need to run. As long as we avoid directly engaging their main forces, we can handle this.
We can sidestep their flagship and focus on taking out their other ships. Other than the fleet led by Linlin herself, none of them can match us."
Alice scratched her head in frustration. "It's annoying that we're too weak. We're useless when Hancock fights Big Mom."
Robin said nothing more, turning her gaze to Hancock. "What do you think, Hancock?"
Hancock raised her head, her absent-minded expression replaced by sharp determination.
"They're here," she said.
"Who?" Robin asked, quickly catching on. "Already? Where are they coming from, and how far?"
Hancock's gaze grew even more intense. "They're everywhere. We're surrounded. But the good news is that Charlotte Linlin and Katakuri aren't with them."
"They must be on their way," Robin surmised, rising to her feet. Her face turned grim. "Everyone, prepare for battle. If we can't make it through this, the Burning Heaven Pirates could be wiped out."
The three of them exited the room.
At the same time, alarms blared across the ship, summoning the crew to action. Pirates from all corners of the ship gathered quickly, forming an impressive assembly. At the front stood a group in special uniforms, their presence commanding.
Alice stepped forward, raising her fist high as her voice rang out, clear and strong.
"Everyone! The enemy is upon us. Prepare to fight!"
"Yes!"
The crew responded in unison, their voices steady and devoid of fear.
In the distance, the enemy fleet approached. Their flags bore the unmistakable insignia of the BIGMOM Pirates—a waving skull adorned with pink curls and lipstick.
At the bow of the leading ship stood a slender, sharp-faced middle-aged man. His face was heavily made up, his long nose and tongue adding to his grotesque appearance. He gripped a candy cane in his hand.
He was Perospero, the eldest son of Charlotte Linlin and captain of the current operation for the BIGMOM Pirates. A user of the Lick-Lick Fruit. [Pero Pero no Mi] , his devil fruit abilities were as unsettling as they were versatile.
"Found them! They've been hiding here! Hehehe, our BIGMOM Pirates' intelligence network is unmatched!" Perospero declared smugly.
Behind him, a young woman emerged. She had long, wavy silver hair, a tall, striking figure, and full lips that seemed perpetually pursed.
"Let's go. We can't let them escape again. This time, we end them once and for all," Smoothie said.
Though still young, Smoothie's immense power had already earned her a spot as one of the Sweets Generals.
Perospero, however, wasn't so eager. "Wait, Smoothie! Now isn't the best time. Boa Hancock is extremely dangerous. We should wait for Katakuri and Mom to arrive and crush them in one decisive strike."
But Smoothie ignored him, leaping gracefully off the boat.
"By the time they get here, the Burning Heaven Pirates will have already escaped. Boa Hancock may be powerful, but she's just one person. The few of us are more than enough to deal with her."
Without hesitation, Baron Tamago—clad in his tight suit, eggshell-patterned pants, sunglasses, and sporting an impressive mustache—followed after her with his incredibly long legs.
"If we let them keep causing trouble, the reputation of the BIGMOM Pirates will suffer greatly," he said.
Oven, with his orange, fan-shaped hairstyle, jumped off as well.
Seeing this, the rest of the crew followed, albeit reluctantly.
"You're all too impulsive! I keep telling you, now isn't the best time!" Perospero ranted, his frustration evident. But even he eventually joined the group, unable to let them face the Burning Heaven Pirates alone.
---
The group pushed deeper into the island, eventually arriving at an open clearing that bore signs of recent camping.
In the center of the clearing stood a tall, stunning woman dressed in a cheongsam. Her piercing eyes exuded cold disdain as she gazed down at the intruders.
The BIGMOM Pirates came to an abrupt halt.
Boa Hancock surveyed them coolly. "Is this all? Where is Charlotte Linlin?"
Oven stepped forward, his tone grim. "My mother doesn't need to dirty her hands with you. Boa Hancock, today will be your end. This farce stops here!"
Smoothie gestured to the pirates behind her. "The others are in the forest. Go and deal with them!"
The subordinate pirates began to split off, trying to bypass Hancock on either side. Many stole glances at her as they passed, unable to hide their awe at her beauty.
Hancock smirked faintly. "Leaving so soon?"
She lightly touched her lips with her fingers, conjuring a massive, peach-colored heart-shaped substance. Pulling it back like a bowstring, she aimed it at the fleeing pirates.
"Careful!" Perospero shouted, his face paling.
Smoothie and the others also looked alarmed, fully aware of what was coming. They had encountered this ability before, suffering devastating losses.
"Captive Arrow!"
Hancock released the bowstring, sending a barrage of pink, heart-shaped arrows flying through the air.
Anything they touched—living or inanimate—was instantly petrified.
Within seconds, at least a third of the pirates were turned into stone statues.
"So strong!" muttered Baron Tamago, who was witnessing Hancock's abilities firsthand. His expression turned serious.
"I told you this woman was trouble!" Perospero snapped. "We should have waited for Katakuri and Mom!"
Gritting his teeth, Perospero summoned a massive wave of syrup, directing it to surround Hancock and restrict her movements.
"Take this chance to retreat!" Smoothie ordered.
The remaining pirates, shaken out of their stupor, turned and fled toward the forest in a panicked frenzy.
Hancock made no effort to pursue them, her attention now focused on the four who remained: Perospero, Smoothie, Oven, and Baron Tamago.